Spark Cape Breton Winners Named

Six new technology companies in Cape Breton have been named winners in the inaugural Spark Cape Breton competition. A total of $200,000 in cash will be awarded to the following ‎companies:

Artisync Technologies Co-Op Ltd.Rob Parsons – Sydney
Amount: $50,000
Artisync is developing a cloud-based hub for the comic book and graphic novel industry that will allow artists to network, communicate and collaborate with each other as well as connect with potential publishers, distributors and customers.

BAMS Systems Inc.Donald Hanson & Paul Jamieson – Sydney
Amount: $40,000
BAMS is developing a software as a service (SaaS) management system designed for First Nations governments and other aboriginal organizations.

Funds awarded are to be used to support the completion of prototypes or preparation for taking the product or service to market.‎ In addition to the funding, winners will receive mentoring from seasoned business people.

Spark Cape Breton is a competition to find and support high potential, early-stage knowledge-based companies, and encourage entrepreneurial activity in the region.‎ It is presented by Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation, the Department of Economic and Rural Development and Tourism, and Innovacorp. Entrants must be a start-up venture based in Cape Breton or the Mulgrave area. They must have a new knowledge-based product or service with zero sales revenue since inception.

Launched in January 2014, the competition attracted 25 submissions by February’s deadline. Ten companies were invited to pitch their ventures to judges in mid-March. An eight-person judging committee selected the winners after evaluating the quality of the idea, the strength of the management team, and the clarity and persuasiveness of the written and oral presentation. Ultimately, entries were judged on which had the highest probability of entering the market in a competitively sustainable fashion and on commercial potential.